1:30 LRN Newscast Feb 3

State Police say a three-year-old child who was not properly restrained was killed in a wreck last night involving an 18-wheeler in Calcasieu Parish. Trooper Derek Senegal says the child was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Blaine Keith Lecompte. Senegal says they suspect Lecompte was impaired.

Cut 12 (10) “vehicular homicide” 

Senegal says toxicology samples were obtained from the driver.

The two bodies recovered from the wreckage of a plane that went down near Hackberry Tuesday are believed to be that of flight instructor Rock Palermo and his student Don Clements. Palermo, an attorney, was also the pilot for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight says Palermo was well thought of.

Cut 7 (12) “…missed.”

The investigation is being handled by the FAA and the NTSB.

Senator Bill Cassidy recounted the story of how he got COVID, calling it a warning that transmission in tight spaces is still possible even if everyone is masked up. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

It’s Super Bowl Week but in New Orleans Saints fans are eagerly awaiting a decision from Quarterback Drew Brees. Head Coach Sean Payton says he expects a decision in the next week or two on if Brees is retiring on coming back for year 21 in the pros.

12:30 LRN Newscast Feb 3

The two bodies recovered from the wreckage of a plane that went down near Hackberry Tuesday are believed to be that of flight instructor Rock Palermo and his student Don Clements. Palermo, an attorney, was also the pilot for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Tony Mancuso was visibly emotional about the loss of Palermo.

Cut 6 (09) “…office”

The investigation is being handled by the FAA and the NTSB.

The LSU Ag Center says the state is looking at a record sugar cane harvest this year. Sugar cane specialist Kenneth Gravois says sugar was planted on 496-thousand acres in 2020 and the harvest which started in September produced about 83-hundred pounds per acre…

Cut 3 (09)  “…for Louisiana”

Gravois says even a rough hurricane season could not slow down a record-breaking sugar cane harvest.

The CDC is now mandating that all public transit systems require riders to mask up. Senator Bill Cassidy says this is a requirement most transit systems already have, and there’s a real question as to whether the CDC has the power to levy penalties against systems that refuse.

Cut 9 (07) “… enforce.”

Cassidy says masking up while on public transit is a good plan and data shows the virus spreads much easier in confined indoor spaces.

The state reports 2,046 new COVID-19 cases and 53 fatalities today. And 1,386 are hospitalized in the state with COVID. And close to 488-thousand vaccine doses have been administered an increase of 90 thousand since last Thursday.

11:30 LRN Newscast Feb 3

Republican Senators introduce legislation aimed at overturning President Biden’s executive orders revoking the Keystone Pipeline permit and oil and gas drilling permit moratorium on federal lands. Senator Bill Cassidy says the legislation is necessary because he doubts Biden can be talked into reversing these orders…

Cut 4 (04)“…do it.”

Louisiana ranks 14th in the country according to the CDC for the percentage of COVID vaccines administered. Louisiana Health Secretary Doctor Courtney Phillips told a Congressional committee the ranking would be higher, but they are holding second doses back so recipients can receive the maximum protection from the virus…

Cut 14 (10) “…deserve it.” 
Starting February 11th, 56 Walmart stores around the state will start administering doses.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a largescale oyster die-off in Plaquemines Parish waters. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The three men from Acadiana involved in the murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the murders of two women in Montegut last month are facing additional charges. In addition to first-degree murder, jail records indicate Beaux Cormier, Andrew Eskine and Dalvin Wilson are each facing one count of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Cormier is also facing a solicitation for murder hire charge.

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 3

Republicans file long-shot legislation to overturn President Biden’s executive orders restricting oil and gas leasing and ending the Keystone Pipeline. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

According to the latest numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state added 37-hundred jobs from November to December. One-point-nine million people were employed in December, but that’s down 83-thousand jobs from December 2019. The unemployment rate in December was just below seven percent.

The Biden’s administration announced Tuesday a 5% increase in the number of vaccine doses to be distributed to states. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Dr. Courtney Philips testified Tuesday before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on COVID Vaccines, she thanked them for the three-week advance notice of their scheduled allotments because it…

Cut 15 (09)“…in advance.”

Officials are investigating a mysterious oyster die-off in Plaquemines Parish waters that farmers say has claimed millions of pounds of oysters. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Oyster Program Manager Carolina Bourque (Caro-leena Bork) says this was a tough pill to swallow for fishermen who were already dealing with losses stemming from the Mississippi River Flood in 2019.

Cut 12 (08) “…pandemic.”

Harvesters believe the worst of the die-offs are over now, but smaller die-offs have been detected in recent days.

LRN AM Newscall Feb 3

Republicans file long-shot legislation to overturn President Biden’s executive orders restricting oil and gas leasing and ending the Keystone Pipeline. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a largescale oyster die-off in Plaquemines Parish waters. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health testified Tuesday before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on COVID Vaccines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

____________________________

Republican Senators introduce legislation aimed at overturning President Biden’s executive orders revoking the Keystone Pipeline permit and oil and gas drilling permit moratorium on federal lands.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the legislation is necessary because he doubts Biden can be talked into reversing these orders…

Cut 4 (04)“…do it.”

The Administration had the US rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, which calls for member countries to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Republicans argue these orders are job killers at a time when the country can’t afford to lose jobs.

Cut 5 (12)“…pipeline.”

Biden has proposed increasing investment in green energy to offset job losses in fossil fuel industries.

Biden has called the orders a centerpiece of his climate policy. Cassidy says it’s counterproductive.

Cut 6 (12) “…oil.”

________________________

Preliminary figures from the LSU Center for Analytics and Research indicate the number of motorcycle fatalities in Louisiana dropped 20-percent in 2020. Motorcycle Awareness Campaign spokesperson Scotty Drake believes the pandemic is a factor.

Cut 7 (07)  “…trucks.”

Drake says MAC was created about 15 years ago by a group of riders in Baton Rouge who wanted to reduce the number of motorcycle fatalities and increase awareness. He says while they’ve like to take credit for the 20-percent reduction they believe fewer motorists on the road was the main reason.

Drake says while fewer cars and trucks were on the road last year, he believes the same amount or more of motorcyclists took to the roads in 2020.

Cut 8 (09) “…safer.”

Drake says MAC is pleased with the drop in motorcycle fatalities, and they will continue their mission to promote awareness with advertising campaigns, bumper stickers, and yard signs. Drake says also be on the lookout for…

Cut 9 (11) “…to do.”

For more information on MAC visit www.macorg.com

_____________________________

Officials are investigating a mysterious oyster die-off in Plaquemines Parish waters that farmers say has claimed millions of pounds of oysters.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Oyster Program Manager Carolina Bourque (Caro-leena Bork) says the first die-off was reported on January 4th

Cut 10 (07) “…months.”

The exact total area impacted and the official number of oysters killed is unverified at this time.

Bourque says there’s no obvious answer yet as to what caused the die-off. She says these kinds of die-offs are much more common in summer…

Cut 11 (11) “…summer.”

Bourque says this was a tough pill to swallow for fishermen who were already dealing with losses stemming from the Mississippi River Flood in 2019.

Cut 12 (08) “…pandemic.”

Harvesters believe the worst of the die-offs are now over, but smaller die-offs have been detected in recent days.

_____________________________

The Biden’s administration announced Tuesday a 5% increase in the number of vaccine doses to be distributed to states, which is a 22% increase since Biden took office. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Dr. Courtney Philips testified Tuesday before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on COVID Vaccines, she says Louisiana is prepared.

Cut 13 (08) “…allocation.”

Phillips thanked the committee for giving states the flexibility the work with private partners, CVS and Walmart, to vaccinate nursing home residents and staff.

According to the CDC Louisiana currently ranks 14th in the percentage of vaccines that have been administered.  Phillips says the ranking would be higher because it includes second doses that are being held back so recipients can receive the maximum protection from the virus.

Cut 14 (10) “…deserve it.” 

Phillips praised the federal government’s decision to increase transparency in the distribution of doses and giving states a three-week advance notice of their scheduled allotment because it…

Cut 15 (09)“…in advance.”

LDH also announced they will join the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program which makes vaccines more accessible. It allows 56 Walmart locations in Louisiana to participate as a provider for vaccines. That begins on February 11th.

______________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team will face the tenth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on the road in Tuscaloosa today. The Tigers lost by 30 points to Bama a few weeks back as they gave up 105 points and allowed Alabama to hit an SEC-record 23 three-pointers.  Head Coach Will Wade says they need to be better on transition defense.

Cut 16 (16) “…adjustments.”

LSU forward Darius Days sprained his ankle against Texas Tech on Saturday and will be absent against Alabama.  Wade says that Shareef O’Neal is one player who could get extra minutes.

Cut 17 (10) “…win.”

_____________________________________________________

LSU has officially introduced its new defensive football coaches.  Daronte Jones, Blake Baker, and Andre Carter were hired as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, and defensive line coach respectively.  Head Coach Ed Orgeron says a big reason why these guys got the job was their ability to relate to the players.

Cut  18 (12) “…in that area.”

Defensive Coordinator Daronte Jones joins LSU’s staff from the Minnesota Vikings, where he was the defensive backs coach. Jones says he was eager to take the job at LSU due to Louisiana’s fertile recruiting ground.

Cut 19 (14) “…Coach O” 

Jones says his ultimate goal as a defensive coordinator will be to put the players in the best position to succeed.

  cut 20  (11) ” play fast” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Feb 2

While a 69% rebound in unemployment from April of 2020 indicates the state’s economy is recovering, LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott, unfortunately, says the outlook for the oil and gas industry is bleak. He says the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new leases in the Gulf of Mexico is very concerning.

Cut 5  (11) “…forward.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy was one of ten Republican Senators to meet with President Biden last night to discuss the next round of COVID relief. Biden backs a 1.9 trillion dollar plan while Cassidy and company prefer a 618 billion dollar measure Cassidy says the two sides began a dialog.

Cut 12 (11) “his” 

Without ten Republicans in support Democrats would have to pass the package through a process known as reconciliation

Shreveport Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who went inside Ochsner LSU Health and wounded two individuals with a large knife. Sergeant Glen Heckard says one of the victims was the mother of the suspect and they do not know why Zaokoye  Chatman attacked the two workers at Ochsner LSU Health…

Cut 8 (09) “…another victim.”

State Police has announced the arrest of three individuals on charges of human trafficking after law enforcement during a traffic stop in Bunkie found a 15-year-old juvenile being sexually exploited. Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says the officers who conducted the stop should be commended for realizing that this was a case of human trafficking…

Cut 11 (07) “…what was going on.”

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 2

President Joe Biden met with Senator Bill Cassidy and nine other Republicans last night to begin discussing the possibility for a compromise COVID relief bill. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

A woman’s body found in the woods Sunday in Bastrop is being investigated as a homicide. Bastrop Interim Police Chief Anthony Evans says they are not releasing the name of the victim pending next of kin notification. The body has been sent to Little Rock for an autopsy.

Two Texas residents and 21-year-old woman from Alexandria are facing human trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Bunkie. Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says during the traffic stop it was determined a missing 15-year-old juvenile was in the vehicle.

Cut 9 (09) “… testify.”

The suspect from Louisiana under arrest has been identified as 21-year-old Areona Ardoin of Alexandria.

Economic indicators show the state is recovering quicker than first predicted from the pandemic.  LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says they compared unemployment numbers from April of 2020 to the latest numbers in December and unemployment has recovered by 69%.

Cut 3 (11) “…42-percent.”

He predicts things will continue to improve once the vaccine is more widely available.

1:30 LRN Newscast Feb 2

Senator Bill Cassidy was one of ten Republican Senators to meet with President Biden last night to discuss the next round of COVID relief. Biden backs a 1.9 trillion dollar plan while Cassidy and company prefer a 618 billion dollar bill. Cassidy says the two sides began a dialog.

Cut 12 (11) “his” 

Without ten Republicans in support Democrats would have to pass the package through a process known as reconciliation

Shreveport Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who went inside Ochsner LSU Health and wounded two individuals with a large knife. Sergeant Glen Heckard says one of the victims was the mother of the suspect and they do not know why Zaokoye Chatman attacked the two workers at Ochsner LSU Health…

Cut 8 (09) “…another victim.”

Two Texas residents and 21-year-old Areona Ardoin of Alexandria are facing human trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Bunkie. Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says during the traffic stop found a missing 15-year-old in the vehicle and it’s likely the suspects connected with the 15-year-old through the internet.

Cut 10 (11) “…on line”

While a 69% rebound in unemployment from April of 2020 indicates the state’s economy is recovering, LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott, unfortunately, says the outlook for the oil and gas sector is bleak. He says the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new leases in the Gulf of Mexico is very concerning.

Cut 5  (11) “…forward.” 

12:30 LRN Newscast Feb 2

Two Texas residents and a 21-year-old woman from Alexandria are facing human trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Bunkie. Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says during the traffic stop it was determined a missing 15-year-old juvenile was located in the vehicle.

Cut 9 (09) “… testify.”

The suspect from Louisiana has been identified as 21-year-old Areona Ardoin of Alexandria.

Economic indicators show the state unemployment has rebounded by 69% when you compare April to December of 2020. But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott, unfortunately, says the oil and gas sector is actually worse off than it was a year ago. What has rebounded is the retail sector; they have more jobs now than this time last year.

Cut 4 (10) “…ago” 

The state will roll out a new tutoring program designed to help kids catch up on education they may have missed during the pandemic. Matt Doyle has more on the Accelerate program…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 2

Shreveport Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who went inside Ochsner LSU Health and wounded two individuals with a large knife. Sergeant Glen Heckard says one of the victims was the mother of the suspect, Zaokoye Chatman,…

Cut 6 (08) “…to him.”

New Orleans Police are trying to determine if Chatman is also a suspect in Sunday’s fatal machete attack at a New Orleans gas station.

28-year-old Blake Jenkins of Alexandria is under arrest for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old in Acadia Parish and driving her to Lake Charles where he pressured her to have sex with other men for money.  Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says Jenkins is facing kidnapping, human trafficking, and Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile charges…

Cut 5 (09)“..arrest.”

The two met online.

Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. says good police work let to the arrest of three men for a double homicide in Montegut. Beaux Cormier hired two men, Andrew Eskine, and Delvin Wilson to murder his niece that accused him of rape. But they killed Cormier’s sister and her neighbor. All three are charged with two counts each of first-degree murder. Bond is set at $2 million each, but that could change.

Cut 14 (08) “…(2x) the streets.” 

2020 was a tough year between the coronavirus pandemic and hurricanes. FEMA is reminding Louisiana residents they are offering free crisis counseling…

Cut 12 (08) “…confidential.”
FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says to call 1-800-985-5990, that’s 1-800-985-5990 for crisis counseling.